Excessive Snags?

[Lee]

I've just moved into a new Redrow home, and have compiled a snag list.

Is this excessive? I've left off minor things like paint marks, missing sealant around tiles etc as I didn't want to 'devalue' the snags that are on the list etc.

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Dear 'Redrow'

RE: Updated Issues list

We thought we would draft a letter containing all outstanding issues, as of Monday April 2nd 2007. Please issue to Site Manager accordingly.

Front Exterior
• 2 drill holes in rendering under the porch roof (1 either side), no apparent need for them, to be filled?
• Multiple dents/scrapes/scratches to front and back of main front entrance door
• Fixing bolt missing from lower side of the front door handle, door handle loose

Entrance Hall
• Gap between plasterboard and stair woodwook, in small gap between stairs and cupboard. (Gap is around 1inch where plasterwork has not been completed correctly).
• Door mat and Hall Carpet stained from toilet flood during CML inspection (Both items to be replaced Wednesday April 4th).
• Failed Light in Hall, bulb has been replaced, had no effect, possible wiring issue?

Lounge
• Scratches to bottom of Double Glazing Unit, above window sill.
• Deep scratch to Light switch

Dining Room
• Bolt missing from double doors (on order apparently, awaiting update).
• Flickering Light, have changed lightbulb, no effect, possible wiring fault?
• Damage to Door furthest from Kitchen, repair has been attempted, unsatisfactory.
• Poor finish to upper most part of door furthest from Kitchen.

Kitchen
• Floor issues
o Excessive glue between joins
o Poor fit around doors
o Poor White Sealant around edges
o Missing White Sealant in places
• Cooker Unit to be replaced, poor repair attempted, ‘pre installation damage’ still remains!
• Cupboard between washing machine and fridge/freezer to be replaced, due to the chipboard “blowing� due to excessive water prior to our ownership
• Cupboard door to left of extractor hood has multiple scratches, repair attempted, no change. Replacement required.
• Cupboard door on boiler cupboard has large scratch. Replacement required as damage is worse than cupboard above so repair will be unsatisfactory.
• Plinth by kickspace heater is very poorly fitted and is damaged by incorrect fitting of heater. Plinth requires replace and refit.
• Chip missing from bottom right corner (by door) of cupboard between backdoor and extractor, needs repair.
• Tile to be replaced after being damaged during retrofit of dishwasher power.
• Dishwasher power control unit on wall currently has a “Tumble Drier� label, Electrician has ordered replacement. Please keep updated.

Carport/Side/Rear Exterior
• Right gate has crack damage in the wood, where the latch was fitted. Gate needs replacing.
• Backdoor has multiple dents/scratches, repairs attempted. Still not happy with quality of door. Door to be replaced!
• Gouges to weather strip on door, Strip needs replacing.
• Chunks missing from Rendering above soldier course above kitchen window and dining room doors. Rendering repair needed

Bedrooms
• Gouges to window sills in Bedroom 3 and 4. Both Window sills, have had repairs attempted, but “a quick bit of polyfilla� does not constitute a well actioned repair!

Family Bathroom
• Extractor Fan doesn’t work, isolator switch outside the door makes no difference.
• Large Scratch to rear of bath, opposite end to the taps
• Area of multiple scratches/grit rub mark between taps and hand grip on far side of bath.
• Gouge marks in bath panel.

Stairs
• Area that needs re glossing as woodwork is staining through, between hallway and first floor
• Upright ballastrade near Bedroom 1 is not fixed to wall and comes away when in use.

Ensuite to Bedroom 1
• “Passivent� appears not to work, it should (according to Site Manager) activate upon detecting moisture in the air (ie shower conditions).

We believe this list to be a fair list of outstanding items, and look forward to all of them being rectified in the next few coming days. It would be great to spend the Easter weekend enjoying our new home rather than updating a snag list.

Please keep us informed of any actions to be taken.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr C......

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I'm now awaiting a visit from the customer services manager for the southern region to come and have a look at the issues listed.

How does this compare to others?
I only moved in on Friday, ie less than a week ago!!

[Tony]

Hi Lee,

Thanks for sharing this, it is not excessive and I would advise putting all your snags down on the list as you do not want to end up with two lists.

You could keep the ones listed below in the covering letter stating that they are of particular concern.

It sounds like you were rushed into an unfinished house at the end of the financial quarter.

I hope this helps

Tony

[Tony]

Don't forget to keep a copy of the letter, confirm any agreed verbal actions in writing and give them a deadline for a response to the letter - say two weeks.
It is also worth taking photos too.

[Lee]

Thanks for the replies Tony.

I've got Jim Day, who I am told is the Customer Services Manager for the Southern Region, coming out to have a look at 9am Tuesday.

You are correct in your guess at Financial Quarter! We were told that they were desperately trying to get it finalised in March so that the money was credited to Q1! I guess we now pay the price

I'll keep you all updated once the guy has been on Tuesday. I do find it odd that we've already been passed onto Customer Services, rather than 'site' looking after the issues, surely they would want to address the issues locally first before it being flagged to HO.

Keep your fingers crossed for us! I hope this isn't going to be an ongoing saga!

[Lee]

Well, we had the Customer Services Manager visit yesterday and he seemed to agree with all points raised and didn't think any of them were unreasonable.

He's gone to put job lists together for relevant teams/groups and will get back to me.

Now, one query I do have is that of 'Top Soil'...
We have what I wouldn't class as Top Soil, but according to the guy that visited, it is classed as 'Vegetable Soil' and that is acceptable to NHBC etc. Now I thought it had to be a certain quality, often involving sifting stones out etc. Where do I stand with this?

[nem39esis]

ive had the same questions about topsoil.

Im a civil engineer so when i saw my garden and then looked at the soil i did some checking.

From what ive read, there needs to be 2 different layers, topsoil and subsoil. To a depth of 600mm all ruble etc should have been removed. You should have at least 100mm of topsoil, although by the time the turf is laid on top its likely youll not even notice it. The quality of the soil is pot luck, mine is pretty clay like but its still calssed as a topsoil, or clay loam. Not the best to have though. There is guidlines set out in the NHBC documents and building regs, but it isnt in too much detail. They should lay turf properly with no gaps. IBut ill bet they more than likely just raked the top layer of big stones and laid turf straigh on top of the ground-usual poor job. They use builders to lay turf, not something the specialise in i can tell you.